Ipswich River
Ipswich River is a small river in northeastern Massachusetts, USA. It is 35 miles (56 km) long,[1] and its watershed is approximately 155 sq mi (401 km2), with an estimated population in the area of 160,000 people. [2]
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[edit] Geography
The river is formed by the junction of Lubber and Maple Meadow brooks in Wilmington. It passes through the towns of Wilmington, Reading, North Reading, Middleton, Topsfield, Hamilton, and flows into Atlantic Ocean at Ipswich Bay. [3]
Formation of the Ipswich River basin began in the Pleistocene Era, some 10,000 years ago. Glaciers created ridges, deposited sand and gravel, making today's riverbed. [4]
[edit] Usage
The first written record about the Ipswich River is from 1638 when John Winthrop bought from Chief Masconomet the lands along the river and exclusive fishing rights for 20 pounds sterling.
Most of the land along the river is privately owned but in certain recreational areas non-motorized boats, fishing, and swimming is allowed. It is attractive to canoeists. In the swampy and wetland areas a wide variety of birds can be seen.
Drinking water for many communities is provided from Ipswich River. It is estimated that source of public drinking water for approximately 350,000 people comes from the river's watershed although most of these people live outside the area. There are some concerns about the quality of the water as the river dries up and some places become a dumping ground for tires. [5]
[edit] Points of interest
- Bradley Palmer State Park
- Choate Bridge, built in 1764
- Ipswich River Park in North Reading
- Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
[edit] Notes
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed April 1, 2011
- ^ mass.gov - Ipswich River Watershed
- ^ Nature Compass - About the Ipswich River
- ^ http://www.ipswichriver.org/watershed/riverhistory.htm
- ^ http://users.net1plus.com/tdriskell/ipswich.htm Wa
